Business
SLID’s Women Directors’ Forum convenes panel discussion on Empathetic Leadership in a Time of Crisis
The Women Directors’ Forum (WDF) of The Sri Lanka Institute of Directors organized a panel discussion titled “Empathetic Leadership in a Time of Crisis” on 19 November 2021 at the Cinnamon Grand Colombo to discuss and share insights with its members on the virtues of and the need for empathy in leading organizations in times of crises such as the current pandemic. The keynote was delivered by Ms. Hajar Alafifi-Chairperson, Unilever Sri Lanka. Moderated by Dilshan Rodrigo-Director/COO, Hatton National Bank PLC, the panel consisted of Ms. Shiromal Cooray-Managing Director, Jetwing Travels (Pvt) Ltd, Ms. Kasthuri Chellaraja Wilson-Group CEO, Hemas Holdings PLC, Ms. Lakmini Wijesundera-Co Founder, IronOne Technologies/BoardPac and Ms. Chamila Bandara-Director/CEO, Mountain Hawk Express (Pvt) Ltd as well as Ms. Alafifi.
“Empathy goes beyond compassion. Leaders were super-heroes, commanding and controlling with top-down leadership styles until maybe 10 years ago. With the advent of Covid, leaders realized that they now had to pull a different muscle to lead the team and drive business performance. They needed to make their people feel safe and cared for. This required them to exude a completely different leadership style. They had to become human leaders. Empathetic leadership is about doing hard things in a human way. It is not about becoming fluffy or being kind for the sake of being kind. It is about driving performance whilst being human” said Ms. Hajar Alafifi in her keynote address and explained that empathy builds productivity contrary to the belief that empathy is counter productive to business results and performance. She also emphasized that an empathetic leader drives business results by supporting and challenging the team at the same time.
Dilshan Rodrigo citing research conducted said that while 80% of leaders consider themselves empathetic leaders, the staff ratings of these leaders indicate that only 20% of them are actually seen to be empathetic leaders. He also said that during the difficult period due to Covid, he has seen companies operating in good industries not doing well and companies operating in difficult industries doing well due to good leadership, emphasizing that ultimately it is leadership that matters in achieving business performance.
Responding to a question from the moderator on empathetic leadership and how it manifests itself for each of the panelists, Ms. Lakmini Wijesundera said that as a growing company the expectation from the leadership is different to the well-established, well-structured companies. “In our situation, communication with the staff is very important with understanding and empathy towards the team.”
Ms. Kasthuri Chellaraja Wilson sharing her thoughts said that there is a fine line between understanding and sympathy, and that there are things that leaders can understand, acknowledge, and accommodate. Listening and having deeper conversations with the team had helped her to understand her individual team members better.
Ms. Shiromal Cooray emphasized that empathy needs to come from leaders and that it is their duty to instill an empathetic culture in the company. She said that merely having an empathetic leader may not be sufficient and that empathy must be cascaded down the company’s hierarchical lines through many interventions.
Ms. Chamila Bandara mentioned that empathy is a core value in her company and one of 10 leadership attributes. She said that when Covid came about, their leadership team was really put to the test as theirs was an essential service which put the staff at risk given that they had to make deliveries even during the pandemic. She emphasized that empathetic leadership is not only thinking of your employees and putting them first but also about making intelligent and commercially viable decisions. “During a crisis, one needs to be confident of one’s ability as a leader” she added.
The Delegation of German Industry and Commerce in Sri Lanka (AHK Sri Lanka) proudly facilitated the first-ever Sri Lankan delegation’s participation at Drupa 2024, the world’s largest trade fair for the printing industry and technology. Held after an eight-year hiatus, Drupa 2024 was a landmark event, marking significant advancements and opportunities in the global printing industry.
AHK Sri Lanka played a pivotal role in organising and supporting the delegation, which comprised 17 members from the Sri Lanka Association for Printers (SLAP), representing eight companies from the commercial, newspaper, stationery printing, and packaging industries. This pioneering effort by AHK Sri Lanka not only showcased the diverse capabilities of Sri Lanka’s printing sector but also facilitated vital bilateral discussions with key stakeholders from the German printing industry.
Business
Unveiling Ayugiri: Browns Hotels & Resorts sets the stage for a new era in luxury Ayurveda Wellness
In a captivating reimagining of luxury wellness tourism, Browns Hotels & Resorts proudly unveiled the exquisite Ayugiri Ayurveda Wellness Resort Sigiriya. This momentous occasion, celebrated amidst a vibrant and serene grand opening on the 6th of June, heralds a new chapter in the Ayurveda wellness tourism landscape in Sri Lanka. Nestled amidst 54 acres of unspoiled natural splendour, Ayugiri features 22 exclusive suites and stands out as the only luxury Ayurveda wellness resort in the country offering plunge pools in every room, rendering it truly one-of-a-kind.
The grand opening of Ayugiri Ayurveda Wellness Resort was an enchanting event, where guests were captivated by the melodies of flutists and violinists resonating through Sigiriya’s lush landscapes. As traditional drummers and dancers infused the air with vibrant energy, Browns Hotels & Resorts’ CEO, Eksath Wijeratne, Kotaro Katsuki, Acting Ambassador for the Embassy of Japan and General Manager, Buwaneka Bandara, unveiled the resort’s new logo, marking a significant moment witnessed by distinguished guests from the French Embassy, Ayurveda and wellness enthusiasts along with officials from the Sigiriya area, LOLC Holdings and Browns Group.
“Our strategic expansion into wellness tourism with Ayugiri Ayurveda Wellness Resort Sigiriya symbolises a significant milestone for Browns Hotels & Resorts. Wellness tourism has consistently outperformed the overall tourism industry for over a decade, reflecting a growing global interest in travel that goes beyond leisure to offer rejuvenation and holistic well-being. By integrating the timeless wisdom of Ayurveda with modern luxury, we aim to set a new standard in luxury wellness tourism in Sri Lanka. Whether your goal is prevention, healing, or a deeper connection to inner harmony, Ayugiri offers a sanctuary for holistic well-being” stated Eksath Wijeratne.
Ayugiri encapsulates the essence of life, inspired by the lotus flower held by the graceful queens of the infamous Sigiriya frescoes. Just as the lotus emerges from the murky depths, untainted and serene,
Ayugiri invites guests on a journey of purity and rejuvenation, harmonised with a balance of mind, body and spirit, the essence of nature, echoes of culture and the wisdom of ancient Ayurvedic healing.
HNB General Insurance, one of Sri Lanka’s leading general insurance providers, has been honored as the Best General Bancassurance Provider in Sri Lanka 2024 by the prestigious Global Banking and Finance Review – UK.
The esteemed accolade underscores HNB General Insurance’s unwavering commitment to excellence and its outstanding performance in the field of bancassurance. Through dedication and hard work, the HNB General Insurance team has continuously endeavored to deliver innovative insurance solutions, cultivate strong relationships with banking partners, and provide unparalleled service to customers nationwide. This recognition is a testament to the team’s dedication and relentless pursuit of excellence in the bancassurance business.
“We are honored to receive this prestigious award, which reflects our team’s tireless efforts and dedication to delivering value-added insurance solutions and exceptional service through our bancassurance partnerships,” said Sithumina Jayasundara, CEO of HNB General Insurance. “This recognition reaffirms our position as a trusted insurance provider in Sri Lanka and motivates us to continue striving for excellence in serving our customers and communities.”
US sports envoys to Lanka to champion youth development
Rahuman questions sudden cancellation of leave of CEB employees
